Conserve Nova Scotia putting hybrid taxi cabs to the test in Halifax

HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government is giving about $25,000 to a pilot project to help taxi drivers in Halifax cut fuel consumption.

The initiative, funded through Conserve Nova Scotia, will give $2,500 to up to six drivers to purchase a new fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle.

It will also provide $1,200 to those drivers and three others cabbies using regular taxis to keep data on their fuel use, mileage, and maintenance and repair bills.

Bill Estabrooks, minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia, said Tuesday the three regular cabs will provide a baseline for comparison to see just how fuel efficient it would be for drivers to switch to one of the newer vehicles.

He said the pilot project could continue for a second year, based on the data collected and the results.

Conserve Nova Scotia only plans to run the program in Halifax for now, but could look at expanding to areas like Sydney.